URL: https://moderngov.fareham.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=2791

Decision Maker: Executive

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: To update the Executive on the new plan making arrangements recently introduced by the government and give delegated authority to the Director of Planning and Regeneration to publish a local plan timetable and issue a ‘notice of intention to commence’ plan-making.   The Council published its Local Development Scheme (LDS) in March 2025, providing a timetable for the preparation of the new Local Plan. The timetable was set against the backdrop of the proposed new plan making system, a system established by the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act (LURA) 2023 which requires a 30-month timeframe from commencement to adoption.     Paragraph 33 of the Local Development Scheme acknowledges that the new local plan is to be prepared at a time when considerable change to the planning system is in progress. It stated that the timetable in the LDS was subject to the progression of relevant legislation, national planning policy and any transitional arrangements for the reforms. It noted that as more information was known about the new planning system, aspects of the timetable would need to be updated.   At the time the LDS was published, the LURA remained subject to a number of commencement regulations to be laid in order for its provisions to take place. Consequently, in the absence of either the regulations or guidance, no progress was made on a new Local Plan during 2025. Guidance setting out further information on the new system was finally published in December 2025, providing further clarity on the process. Amendments to the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 as introduced by the LURA, and the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026 took effect from 25 March 2026. Combined, these provide the statutory framework for producing a Local Plan.   With the regulations and guidance now in place, the Council can consider commencing work on the new Local Plan. The current adopted Fareham Local Plan 2037 becomes 5-years-old in April 2028, at which point (as prescribed in national policy) its contents will become inconsistent with the National Planning Policy Framework and the Local Plan is effectively considered ‘out-of-date’ for decision making purposes. Whilst it has been necessary to wait for the regulations and further guidance on the new Plan-making system, it is considered appropriate to now commence work on a new local plan to ensure the Borough has an up-to-date Local Plan giving it maximum weight in decision making.   The regulations set out a requirement to publish a ‘notice of intention to commence plan-making’ at least 4 months in advance of formally commencing the 30-month Plan making process. This notice is to include a Local Plan timetable setting out the relevant anticipated dates for the process. Within the 4-month ‘notice’ period a statutory ‘scoping stage’ consultation is required alongside the publication of a Project Initiation Document, that will establish the project management and governance arrangements. At the end of the 4-month (minimum) ‘notice’ period, the Council will be required to complete a self-assessment readiness checklist and submit this to the government to formally commence the Local Plan process.   Following consultation with the Executive Member for Planning and Development, an Expression of Interest was submitted to the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government in January 2026, to secure grant funding as part of the Government’s New System Plan Funding scheme. This funding is intended to support authorities that are committed to bringing a local plan forward early in the new plan‑making system. The funding is subject to two caveats regarding progress:   That the authority publishes a Notice of Intention to commence Local Plan preparation by 30 June 2026; and    The Gateway 1 self‑assessment is published by 31 October 2026.    The Council has been awarded £108,474 grant funding to assist with the delivery of the Local Plan. This grant will be used to supplement existing team resources to ensure sufficient Officer resource is available to deliver the ambitious programme.     

Content: To update the Executive on the new plan making arrangements recently introduced by the government and give delegated authority to the Director of Planning and Regeneration to publish a local plan timetable and issue a ‘notice of intention to commence’ plan-making.   The Council published its Local Development Scheme (LDS) in March 2025, providing a timetable for the preparation of the new Local Plan. The timetable was set against the backdrop of the proposed new plan making system, a system established by the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act (LURA) 2023 which requires a 30-month timeframe from commencement to adoption.     Paragraph 33 of the Local Development Scheme acknowledges that the new local plan is to be prepared at a time when considerable change to the planning system is in progress. It stated that the timetable in the LDS was subject to the progression of relevant legislation, national planning policy and any transitional arrangements for the reforms. It noted that as more information was known about the new planning system, aspects of the timetable would need to be updated.   At the time the LDS was published, the LURA remained subject to a number of commencement regulations to be laid in order for its provisions to take place. Consequently, in the absence of either the regulations or guidance, no progress was made on a new Local Plan during 2025. Guidance setting out further information on the new system was finally published in December 2025, providing further clarity on the process. Amendments to the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 as introduced by the LURA, and the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026 took effect from 25 March 2026. Combined, these provide the statutory framework for producing a Local Plan.   With the regulations and guidance now in place, the Council can consider commencing work on the new Local Plan. The current adopted Fareham Local Plan 2037 becomes 5-years-old in April 2028, at which point (as prescribed in national policy) its contents will become inconsistent with the National Planning Policy Framework and the Local Plan is effectively considered ‘out-of-date’ for decision making purposes. Whilst it has been necessary to wait for the regulations and further guidance on the new Plan-making system, it is considered appropriate to now commence work on a new local plan to ensure the Borough has an up-to-date Local Plan giving it maximum weight in decision making.   The regulations set out a requirement to publish a ‘notice of intention to commence plan-making’ at least 4 months in advance of formally commencing the 30-month Plan making process. This notice is to include a Local Plan timetable setting out the relevant anticipated dates for the process. Within the 4-month ‘notice’ period a statutory ‘scoping stage’ consultation is required alongside the publication of a Project Initiation Document, that will establish the project management and governance arrangements. At the end of the 4-month (minimum) ‘notice’ period, the Council will be required to complete a self-assessment readiness checklist and submit this to the government to formally commence the Local Plan process.   Following consultation with the Executive Member for Planning and Development, an Expression of Interest was submitted to the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government in January 2026, to secure grant funding as part of the Government’s New System Plan Funding scheme. This funding is intended to support authorities that are committed to bringing a local plan forward early in the new plan‑making system. The funding is subject to two caveats regarding progress:   That the authority publishes a Notice of Intention to commence Local Plan preparation by 30 June 2026; and    The Gateway 1 self‑assessment is published by 31 October 2026.    The Council has been awarded £108,474 grant funding to assist with the delivery of the Local Plan. This grant will be used to supplement existing team resources to ensure sufficient Officer resource is available to deliver the ambitious programme.      RESOLVED that the Executive approves the commencement of work on a new Local Plan, giving delegated authority to the Director for Planning and Regeneration, following consultation with the Executive Member for Planning and Development to:   (a)  prepare and publish a document to be known as the “notice of intention to commence local plan preparation” by no later than 30 June 2026;   (b)  prepare and publish a local plan timetable reflecting the new plan making regulations by no later than 30 June 2026 (which may subsequently be updated when required); and   (c)  publish the required documents and statements for statutory Gateway 1 by no later than 31 October 2026 and share with Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.  

Date of Decision: June 1, 2026